Kim M. Anderson

Recovery Resilience and Growth in the Aftermath of Domestic Violence

This mixed-methods study explored the recovery process and outcomes for 37 women formerly in an abusive intimate partner relationship. Standardized measures of current psychosocial functioning indicated participants were largely asymptomatic for posttraumatic stress disorder and had relatively strong resilience. Qualitative analysis revealed how social and spiritual support was instrumental to participants’ recovery, growth, and resilience. Implications for helping professionals include gaining a more comprehensive understanding of recovery from domestic violence. This type of knowledge may contribute to interventions that build on women’s strengths and resourcefulness.

Collegiate Sororities and Dating Violence An Exploratory Study of Informal and Formal Helping Strategies

Women in collegiate sororities are more at risk for violence within the context of dating relationships than is the general population of college women. Because assaulted women are more likely to turn to their peer networks for support, this study explores the formal and informal helping strategies available to sorority members within the context of their sororities. A total of 35 women representing 17 different sororities participated in 4 focus groups. Although the central finding uncovered how violence is largely omitted from the formal agendas of sororities, community and campus-based programs addressing the issue can build on their sincere interest in helping each other.

Listening to the Stories of Adults in Treatment Who Were Sexually Abused as Children

This qualitative study examines the healing and recovery stories of 27 adult sexual abuse survivors. Three main themes emerged in their narratives: (1) creating a coherent life narrative, (2) the importance of turning points along the way, and (3) developing supportive connections. Results from this study underscore the importance of grounding mental health treatment and services in the words, style, content, and form of client stories. Narrative theory holds particular promise as a guiding model for understanding the stories of adults who experienced sexual abuse in childhood.

Rural Women's Strategic Responses to Intimate Partner Violence

In this study we explored rural womens (N = 37) perceptions of strategy use and effectiveness in dealing with intimate partner violence (IPV). We used all six categories of the IPV Strategies Index (Goodman, Dutton, Weinfurt, & Cook, 2003) to assess the strategic responses used by women in the sample and the level of helpfulness associated with each strategy. The strategy category used most often was resistance, and the category deemed most helpful was safety planning. Implications include finding ways for practitioners, advocates, and researchers to support and highlight the resourcefulness of rural survivors of IPV residing in the United States.

Pregnancy and Intimate Partner Violence: How Do Rural, Low-Income Women Cope?

We conducted 32 in-depth interviews with 20 rural, low-income, women residing in the United States who were pregnant (n = 12) or 3 months postpartum (n = 8) and had experienced intimate partner violence (IPV). Using purposive sampling and the grounded theory method, we generated a conceptual model of coping. The urge to protect the unborn baby was the primary influence for participants’ decisions about separating from or permanently leaving an abusive relationship. Implications include universal screening for IPV in child-bearing women, inquiry into maternal identity development during pregnancy, and improved resource access for rural, low-income women.

Surviving Incest: The Art of Resistance

An interview study describes the development of resilient capacities among 26 female incest survivors. Resilience stemmed from active resistance to participants’ perpetrators and eventually matured into strategies to prevent, withstand, stop, or oppose their childhood oppression and its consequences. Three themes emerged: resistance to (a) being powerless, (b) being silenced, and (c) being isolated. Implications for social work practice include focusing on resistance to oppression as part of a resiliency-oriented conceptual model in working with adult survivors of incest.

An Underserved Population and Untapped Resource: A Preliminary Study of Collegiate Sorority Response to Dating Violence

ABSTRACT To what extent do national collegiate sororities have formal programs and policies addressing dating violence? Given that undergraduate women are at high risk for violence by a male partner, sororities represent an opportunity to reach large numbers of undergraduates as well as women in the community who are active in alumni chapters. Based on a telephone survey and review of organizational Web sites, study results suggest that collegiate sororities are an underserved population with regard to prevention, education, and outreach services and an untapped resource with regard to opportunities for community service. Suggestions for building collaboration between sororities and service providers to raise awareness, support victims, create safety planning, and develop resources are addressed.

Fostering Resilience in Daughters of Battered Women

In this Chap. 1 build on my prior qualitative and quantitative inquiries regarding psychological recovery for females who as children witnessed their mothers being abused by an intimate partner (Anderson & Bang, 2012; Anderson & Danis, 2006; Anderson, Danis, & Havig, 2011). Previous findings underscored how adult daughters can recover from childhood exposure to domestic violence and, against formidable odds, exhibit resilience. However, more research on child witnesses is necessary to further delineate the connection between childhood protective factors and adult hardiness. Additional attention needs to be given to children’s specific cognitive, emotional, and behavioral responses along with familial and external support in response to inter-parental conflict. Keeping this in mind, I examine here the retrospective reports of adult daughters (N = 68) regarding the range of protective strategies employed during childhood and how they may relate, if at all, to adult functioning (i.e., resilience, posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD]).

What Do Social Workers Need to Know About Mental Health Courts

Abstract Mental health courts are an emerging strategy to engage mentally ill offenders in treatment and to avoid unnecessary incarceration. These courts began in 1997 based upon the drug court model; there are currently over 70 courts nationwide. These courts are heterogeneous in structure, work with interdisciplinary teams, and seek to engage the consumer in treatment rather than use judicial sanctions. Social workers are integral members of these teams; yet, no research has been published in social work journals on mental health courts. This article explains the background and context of the courts, describes their features, discusses what social workers need to know about mental health courts, and concludes with ideas for how social workers may work effectively with mental health courts.

The Direction of Violence Against Women Research and Evaluation

Although researchers have made numerous advances in the understanding of the nature, extent, and dynamics of violence against women (VAW), there is an ever-increasing need for data used in academic research and within policy decision-making to be collected via rigorous methodological designs to accurately measure the incidence and impact of VAW. What is now needed are research collaborations within an interdisciplinary research cluster that will expand understanding of the complex nature of VAW. The current article details an agenda or “call to action” to address deficiencies and advance VAW research, in addition to informing VAW intervention and prevention efforts.